Abstract
Laboratory observations on reared life stages of Chironex fleckeri (Cubozoa: Chirodropidae) have been combined with field sampling and observations to outline the life cycle of the species and the spatial and temporal distribution of populations in Queensland, Australia. A seasonal alternation of polypoid and medusoid generations from winter to summer respectively is accompanied by a shift in preferred habitat from tidal estuaries to the open eulittoral zone. The system appears to be constrained by predictable fluctuations in the suitability of the alternate habitats to their resident generations. Observations on behaviour, feeding, physiological tolerances, and sexual and asexual reproduction provide insights into the adaptiveness of this pattern.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Barnes, J. H., 1960. Observations on jellyfish stingings in north Queensland. Med. J. Aust. 2: 993-999.
Cleland, J. B & R. V. Southcott, 1965. Injuries to man from marine invertebrates in the Australian region. National Health and Medical Research Council Special Report No. 12, Canberra, 282 pp.
Hartwick, R. F., 1987. The box-jellyfish. In J. Covacevich, P. Davie & J. Pearn (eds), Toxic Plants and Animals. Queensland Univ. Press, Brisbane: 98-105.
Okada, Y. K., 1927. Note sur l’ontogenie de Carybdea rastonii Haacke. Bull. biol. Fr. Belg. 61: 241-249.
Pickard, G. L., 1977. A review of the physical oceanography of the Great Barrier Reef and western Coral Sea. Australian Institute of Marine Science Monograph Series Vol. 2, Canberra, 134 pp.
Studebaker, J. P., 1972. Development of the cubomedusa, Carybdea marsupialis. M. Sc. thesis, Univ. Puerto Rico.
Werner, B., 1975. Bau und Lebensgeschichte des Polypen von Tripedalia cystophora (Cubozoa, class. nov., Carybdei- dae) und seine Bedeutung für die Evolution der Cnidaria. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters 27: 461-504.
Yamaguchi, M. & R. Hartwick, 1980. Early life history of the sea wasp, Chironex fleckeri (Class Cubozoa). In P. Tardent & R. Tardent (eds), Development and Cellular Biology of Coelenterates, Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam: 11-16.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hartwick, R.F. (1991). Distributional ecology and behaviour of the early life stages of the box-jellyfish Chironex fleckeri . In: Williams, R.B., Cornelius, P.F.S., Hughes, R.G., Robson, E.A. (eds) Coelenterate Biology: Recent Research on Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 66. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3240-4_25
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3240-4_25
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5428-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3240-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive